ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1985 charges Local Authorities with the responsibility of licensing places of indoor or outdoor entertainment.  In Castlereagh Borough Council, this function is carried out by the Borough Inspector and Enforcement Officers.

Outdoor Musical Entertainment

Basically this type of entertainment covers open air concerts and applies whether or not there is a charge.  A licence is not required for events at which music is a secondary ingredient.

Environmental Health concerns are generally to do with health and safety, along with welfare and convenience matters such as noise pollution, adequate sanitary accommodation, etc.

Indoor Entertainment

A licence is required when a fee of any kind is charged for the entertainment.  The type of entertainment and size of venue may vary greatly, for example:-

·              Theatrical performances;

·              Music, singing, dancing or similar entertainment;

·              Circuses;

·              Boxing, wrestling, judo or karate matches or exhibitions and similar sports;

·              Snooker, pool and darts matches or exhibitions and similar games;

·              Video machines.

For details on how to apply for an Entertainment Licence, please contact the Environmental Health Service, where staff will be pleased to give you further assistance- Telephone 028 9049 4640.

PETROLEUM LICENSING

Under the petroleum (Consolidation) Acts (Northern Ireland) 1929 and 1937, a Local Authority is empowered to control and licence petroleum spirit and mixtures when stored in sufficient quantities.

When a Licence is required?

Anyone wishing to store petroleum spirit or a mixture in amounts greater than three gallons (13.6 litres) will generally require a licence.  There are some exceptions to this requirement e.g. go-kart tracks but even in these cases the Council must be satisfied that certain safety measures are adhered to.

What conditions are likely to be attached?

When a Petroleum Licence is issued the Licensee must comply with the attached conditions.  These conditions are detailed in a number of Codes of practice, the most commonly used being Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note HS(G) 41 entitled “Petrol Filling Stations: Construction and Operation”.

This guidance is directed at the safe keeping of petrol and deals with installations where petrol is kept and dispensed as fuel for motor vehicles, including forecourt areas to which members of the public have access.  The guidance covers associated activities – such as unloading of petrol from road tankers, retail shops, etc. and other substances – such as LPG and diesel fuel; as the presence of these activities and substances may increase the risks of fire or explosions involving petrol.

Further guidance is contained in HSE Guidance Note HS(G) 146 entitled “Dispensing Petrol”.  This gives advice on risk assessment at petrol stations and items which must be considered by Licensees, including:-

·              Frequency and method of delivery;

·              Storage capacity and method;

·              Volume dispensed (throughput);

·              Location of the site, in particular, proximity to occupied buildings, roads, basements, etc.

Emissions to the atmosphere of vapour from the delivery and storage of petrol at petrol filling stations is now being controlled by the Local Authority under the Industrial Pollution Control (NI) Order 1987.  Filling stations with a certain throughput must meet with stringent conditions and must be authorised by the Local Authority.

Persons wishing to store petroleum should contact the Environmental Health Service on Telephone N  (028) 9049 4640, where staff will be pleased to advise and assist.

LICENSING

Local Authorities have responsibilities for the licensing and registration of certain activities which take place within their areas.

To give an example of the wide range of activities which require licensing or registration, listed below are establishments, activities or events which may be controlled in this way. 

·              Amusement Permits

·              Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

·              Caravan Site Licensing

·              Cinematographic Licences

·              Dog Licensing and associated activities

·              Ear Piercing, Electrolysis, Acupuncture and Tattooing

·              Entertainment Licences

·              Hairdressers Registration

·              Petroleum Licensing

·              Pharmacy and Poisons Registration

·              Street Trading Licences.

The Officers’ involvement often requires the inspection of the premises or activity, followed by a report and recommendation to the Technical Services Committee of the Council.